COVID-19: Ajit Pawar slams Centre for exporting vaccines when India is facing shortage

India is currently dealing with a devastating second Covid-19 wave that has swept through the nation, crushing the country's health infrastructure and overburdening frontline medical workers. The number of coronavirus cases in the country is increasing day by day.

With a total of 4,14,188 new COVID-19 cases being recorded in the last 24 hours, India again reported its highest single-day spike on the second consecutive day. On May 6, the country had registered 4,12,262 new COVID cases.

State Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has strongly criticized the Centre over the shortage of corona vaccines. Vaccines are manufactured in India but are not available in abundance to the citizens of India. So what's the use?

Ajit Pawar has lashed out at the Centre's decision to export vaccines in the Corona crisis. He was speaking in Pune. After the Corona review meeting in Pune, Ajit Pawar interacted with the media. When asked about the shortage of corona vaccines, Ajit Pawar took the Center by storm. "Two anti-corona vaccines are being developed in the country. The vaccines currently available in the country are Covishield from Serum Institute of India and Covaxin from Bharat Biotech. Last month, the Drug Controller General (DCGI) had issued permission for Dr Reddy's Laboratories to import the Russian COVID vaccine Sputnik V to India for emergency use.

But the people of the country are not getting enough vaccines. This is very wrong. Russia has also began exporting the Sputnik-V vaccine after its people were vaccinated. Even though our people have not been vaccinated yet, they are being exported in large quantities. The Centre's decision to export vaccines was wrong. This is a big blow to the people ", said Ajit Pawar.

"The price of Covaxin has been fixed at Rs 400 and Covshield at Rs 300 for the states. But the center is getting the same at 180 rupees. There is a big price difference. Therefore, like the Center, the state government should also get vaccines at lower rates. I have spoken to Adar Poonawala in this regard. But he will be abroad for the next few days. Once he returns to India we will to try to take a positive decision through a face-to-face meeting, "said Ajit Pawar.

Further regarding vaccination drive Pawar said, "We have less number of vaccines for the 18-44 yr olds. Second dose of vaccine is also pending for those 45 yrs and above. We want to give priority to second dose vaccination of those above 45 years of age."

We have less number of vaccines for the 18-44 yr olds. Second dose of vaccine is also pending for those 45 yrs and above. We want to give priority to second dose vaccination of those above 45 years of age: Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar pic.twitter.com/7zFYzrkPDM

— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2021